Heated Rivalry: what season two might explore – from heartbreak to even higher stakes
Heated Rivalry has been the surprise spicy hit of January and taken over social media, so we’re already excited for season two. Here’s everything we know so far about the rematch.
If you haven’t yet seen Heated Rivalry, you’ve certainly heard about it. The HBO Max series only dropped in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW on 10 January, yet fans have already raced through all six episodes and are desperate to know what happens next.
The Canadian series follows two gay ice hockey players whose intense professional rivalry becomes something much more intimate – although certainly no less intense. Based on the Game Changers series of books by Rachel Reid, the series has amassed a huge following, not least for its multiple steamy sex scenes. However, while viewers might have initially come for the more erotic moments, they stayed for the emotional romance that underscores it all. As Simone Margett recently wrote for Stylist: “This is the most compelling and genuinely romantic thing on television. It prioritises slow-burn tension, emotional vulnerability and genuine erotic charge.”
Excitingly, it’s now been announced that a second season of Heated Rivalry is officially underway. Here’s everything we know about it so far…
What will happen in Heated Rivalry season 2?
While the first season focused on how the two leads, Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, first got together – and, spoiler, ended with the two confessing their love for each other – it’s not yet been revealed what ground the second season will cover. However, as Heated Rivalry is based on a series of novels, we can only assume that the storyline will continue to be inspired by the plot of the books. Interestingly, Connor Storrie, who plays Ilya, has hinted that Reid’s sixth book in the Game Changer series, The Long Game, will be instrumental to the plot of season two, saying: “Start reading The Long Game if you want to spoil it for yourselves.”
If that’s to be believed, then we can expect to see season two pick up with the rivals-turned-lovers a whole decade later. In the book, the hockey stars are still keeping their relationship a secret from the world, which is proving challenging for them both. But, when going public could sabotage both their careers, it’s time for them to decide what’s more important: hockey or love?
Credit: Sky
Who will star in Heated Rivalry season 2?
Official casting hasn’t been announced, but we can safely assume that Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will return as our love-torn hockey players, Shane and Ilya. We’d also expect to see most of the season one cast return, including: François Arnaud as fellow hockey player Scott Hunter; Robbie Graham-Kuntz as barista Kip Grady; Christina Chang as Shane’s mum; Dylan Walsh as Shane’s dad; and Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova as Ilya’s friend Svetlana Vetrova.
Credit: heated rivalry
When can we watch Heated Rivalry season 2?
It’s been reported that filming for season two will commence this summer, meaning an early 2027 release is probably the absolute earliest we can hope for in the UK. However, with it’s unpredicted popularity, season two will receive a much bigger budget than season one did, which was reportedly filmed in just 37 days. That could mean a longer filming schedule, possibly delaying the release of season two.
As ever, we’ll keep you updated as and when we hear more news about the second season of Heated Rivalry.
Images: Sky
